 Heavy rains are expected in eastern Southern Africa, increasing risks for localized flooding during the next outlook period.

1) Both delayed start and poor distribution of rainfall since the beginning of the October-December rainy season have led to moisture deficits and below-average ground conditions across northern Kenya and parts of southern Somalia. With the season already coming to an end, the potential for recovery is unlikely.

NAMPULA, Mozambique , Dec 28 2013 (IPS) - Rodolfo Razão, an elderly small farmer in Mozambique, obtained an official land usage certificate for his 10 hectares in 2010, but he has only been able to use seven. The rest was occupied by a South African company that grows soy, maize and beans on some 10,000 hectares in the northeast of the country.

He got nowhere filing a complaint with the authorities in the district of Monapo, where he lives, in the province of Nampula. And at the age of 78, he can’t wait much longer.

Mauritius:
Moderate Tropical Storm Bejisa is projected to move in a southerly to south-easterly direction, with the centre passing between Mauritius and Reunion islands from 2 to 3 January 2014. Associated rain is likely to occur from 31 December and intensify on 1 January 2014, with the likelihood of floods and strong winds.

Enhanced rains were observed across Southern Africa during the past observation period.

1) Both delayed start and poor distribution of rainfall since the beginning of the October- December rainy season have led to moisture deficits and below-average ground conditions across northern Kenya and parts of southern Somalia. With the season already coming to an end, the potential for recovery is unlikely.

Most households in Southern Africa depend on maize as their main source of food and energy, given the high volumes and ease with which it is produced. Alternative food crops that are consumed as substitutes include rice, wheat, sorghum, millet, and tubers such as cassava and potatoes. Consumption of these substitutes occurs mainly when maize is not available or among those households in areas where such substitutes are more easily available (for example, cassava in northern Mozambique).

The synthesis report by FAO’s Monitoring African Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) team, is the first ever attempt to systematically analyse agriculture and food security policies in several African countries, using common methodology over years. The report found that in the period between 2005 and 2010, the policy environment and performance of domestic markets depressed producer prices in the ten African countries analysed, though the trend is improving.

 Increased rains during the past week have helped to replenish soil moisture in eastern Southern Africa, while limited rains have worsened dryness in northern Kenya and southern Somalia.

1) Though an increase in rainfall was observed in southern Kenya over the past few weeks, the delayed onset and uneven distribution of the October-December rainy season have already negatively impacted ground conditions over northern Kenya and parts of southern Somalia. With the season already coming to an end, recovery is unlikely.

The ‘Promoting Women’s Rights Across Africa’ (Pan-Africa) project forms part of the Oxfam GB Raising her Voice (RHV) programme portfolio, which aims to support and strengthen women’s roles in shaping policy and local governance. Through the Pan Africa project, RHV committed to support the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights Coalition (SOAWR) secretariat in Kenya as well as partners (SOAWR coalition members) in Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, The Gambia, Mozambique, Liberia, Nigeria and South Africa.

Although local areas of equatorial eastern Africa have received increased rainfall over the past few weeks, poor rainfall performance since the beginning of the October has led to large moisture deficits over central Kenya and southern Somalia. This dryness is likely to negatively impact the development of crops and pastoral conditions, with little opportunity for recovery before the end of the rainy season.

Below-average rainfall was observed in eastern Southern Africa during the past week, exacerbating dryness over parts of Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.

1) Although local areas of equatorial eastern Africa have received increased rainfall over the past few weeks, poor rainfall performance since the beginning of the October has led to large moisture deficits over central Kenya and southern Somalia. This dryness is likely to negatively impact the development of crops and pastoral conditions, with little opportunity for recovery before the end of the rainy season.